Leave your entry as a comment - include your word count, and your twitter handle if you have one.

Probably good practice to reference any source material, too.

FYI - entries that exceed (or are under) the word limits will not be considered by the judge.

Also, I've had a few questions lately regarding the submission of more than one entry. Yes, you may submit more than one flashfic. I'm going to say a maximum of two (2) entries though. Furthermore, they're not to be continuations, or related to each other in any way -- they need to be completely separate, stand alone entries.

6 comments:

I did, and as much as it hurt my eighteen year old heart to leave him, and how much it hurt again when he found her, I wouldn’t change it…because look at them now.

My weary muscles allow my dry lips to form a hint of a smile. My tired eyes rest on the man, tall and kind, who is looking at my sister with the same, rich-colored love I saw shared between my parents.

In the distance, I can almost hear them calling me.

Bella smiles back up at him. At her Edward. At the man I hope will bring her back to life after mine has ended. I hope for her to have the love I didn’t…until she closes her eyes, too.

I’m leaning against the railing, the wind blowing in my hair and I’m taking the biggest gulp I can swallow from my Bud Light. My eyes sting with unshed tears as I picture our first dance. It was years ago and I can still remember how beautiful she looked. She was so excited to be going to the dance. She could barely contain her excitement. I also remember how she giggled excitedly with her friends as I let her do her thing. But when the music started playing she tugged me to the middle of the floor.

That dance was years ago, but it was still fresh in my mind.

I feel a hand on my shoulder and it pulls me out of my memories. Looking back I see that same smiling girl from all those years ago. Every up and down runs through my head as I take her in. Still just as beautiful as she once was.

“Daddy, you ready for our dance?” She asks, her wedding dress making her to look like an angel.

Full length mirrors everywhere show two figures twirling in fits and starts around an empty studio.

"Sorry." It's been a while since she danced

It's been a while since she was this close to a guy. Any guy

"It's ok." His smile is genuine and amused. His eyes sparkle with mischief.

Your feet are really big, she thinks by way of excusing her own clumsiness.

The words echo around the empty studio.

Her words, her voice.

There is that awful moment where she wants to look around to see who is reading her mind, but gets distracted by the laugh that rumbles comfortably against her.

She tucks her chin in, fighting the sense that her ears are on fire and her tact has left the building.

"Thanks, really." He squeezes her waist a little tighter, pulls her a little closer, but is careful to keep her questing fingers from the initials stamped into the base of his skull. "P.T.P." Palliative Toy Products.

A van parked outside has thirty minutes left on the clock. Inside a lab-coated individual studies a direct feed from the male dancer.

I couldn’t believe this moment had come. Of course, intellectually I knew she was sick and the doctors told me she didn’t have much time left. But, I pushed that knowledge from my mind and refused to believe. Now as I held her soft, limp body in my arms, I cried as a series of happy times with her flashed through my mind.

I remembered camping in the back yard and how we scurried into the dry tent when gentle rain unexpectedly began tapping the tops of our heads.

I remembered her waiting at the door so many late nights with sweet greetings every time I came home.

Knowing this pain, I knew I could never take the chance of loving someone again.

A few days later, when you sat a basket at my feet, I heard the soft mewling and immediately knew what you were doing.

“Baby, I know another kitty could never replace Agatha, but this stray little girl really needs a home.”

I opened the basket and held my new little Aggie to my chest. She began purring softly and I knew taking a chance on my heart breaking again would be worth it to love her.

@jdifrans179 wordsHe has said the words.My worst fear has come true.I am everything I never wanted to be.

He is leaving.He never did want this life.She can make him happy in ways I never could.

Being the mother of his two girls, isn't enough.Cleaning everything until it shines, isn't enough.Cooking meals he approves of everyday, isn't enough.Loving him, isn't enough to keep him.

I could have walked away after that first dance. Knowing he only chose me because I was there. I was enthralled by him and he knew it, used it to his advantage. I knew all along our love was one sided. I thought I had enough for both of us. That he could grow to cherish me, as I did him.

I chose this life and am glad I didn't know the way it all would end. I could have missed the pain, but I'd have had to miss the dance. I would not have my girls, my life, my reason to be. Our lives are better left to chance.